Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/49

King Lear, I. iv  Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear! tarry, and

take the fool with thee.

A fox, when one has caught her,

And such a daughter,

Should sure to the slaughter,

If my cap would buy a halter;

So the fool follows after.

Gon. This man hath had good counsel. A hundred knights!

'Tis politic and safe to let him keep

At point a hundred knights; yes, that on every dream,

Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike,

He may enguard his dotage with their powers,

And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say!

Alb. Well, you may fear too far.

Gon. Safer than trust too far.

Let me still take away the harms I fear,

Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.

What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister;

If she sustain him and his hundred knights,

When I have show'd the unfitness,—

How now, Oswald!

What! have you writ that letter to my sister?

Osw. Ay, madam.

Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse;

Inform her full of my particular fear;

And thereto add such reasons of your own

As may compact it more. Get you gone,

And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald.] No, no, my lord,

This milky gentleness and course of yours

 349 At point: in readiness

364 compact: strengthen

366 gentleness and course: gentleness of your course

